Dedicated dietitian needed for North Tipp children’s disability services

North Tipperary Fianna Fáil TD, Ryan O’Meara, has called for a dedicated dietitian to be appointed to the North Tipperary Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT), warning that the current gap in services is leaving some children without a clear pathway to the specialist support they need.

Deputy O’Meara raised the issue with the HSE after it was brought to his attention that there is currently no dedicated dietitian post within the North Tipperary CDNT.

In response to a Parliamentary Question from Deputy O’Meara, the HSE confirmed that the North Tipperary CDNT recognises the need for dietetic support and intends to prioritise any future posts allocated to the team for a dietitian.

The HSE has also confirmed that a business case has been submitted seeking additional posts for the North Tipperary CDNT to bring its staffing levels in line with the national average.

Deputy O’Meara said this was positive progress, but stressed that the need for a dedicated dietitian had become even clearer following further questions he raised regarding services for children with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder, known as ARFID.

ARFID is an eating disorder where a person restricts the amount or types of food they consume, which can be associated with sensory sensitivities, a lack of interest in food or a fear of negative consequences from eating.

Deputy O’Meara said: “I welcome the fact that the North Tipperary CDNT has recognised the need for dietetic support and that a business case has been submitted for additional staff.

“However, this process is far too bureaucratic and children cannot be left waiting while services decide which team is responsible for them.

“There are dietician services available locally through CAMHS, however, a child can only avail of these services if they have a co-existing mental health disorder that meets criteria for CAMHS intervention.

“It does not make sense that a child with an eating disorder may be unable to access a dietitian or the specialist support that is available through CAMHS simply because they do not meet a particular service definition.

“The HSE has confirmed that there is no agreed referral pathway for a child presenting with ARFID in North Tipperary. Instead, families are being left to rely on their GP to determine where their child should be referred.

“That is not good enough. A child with complex nutritional needs should not be passed between services or left without support because of gaps in the system.

“The HSE needs to simplify this process and ensure that children can access the right care quickly, regardless of which service is ultimately responsible for providing it.

“I am calling for the business case to be progressed and for a dedicated dietitian to be appointed to the North Tipperary CDNT as soon as possible.

“Children and families in North Tipperary deserve a clear, accessible pathway to the multidisciplinary support they need, including dietetic care,” Deputy O’Meara said.